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Monroe, Wisconsin
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Monroe is a city in Green County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 10,661 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered by the town of Monroe to the north and the town of Clarno to the south. It is nicknamed the "Cheese Capital of the USA".
Key Information
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.50 km2), all of it land.[1]
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 939 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,408 | 262.9% | |
| 1880 | 3,293 | −3.4% | |
| 1890 | 3,768 | 14.4% | |
| 1900 | 3,927 | 4.2% | |
| 1910 | 4,410 | 12.3% | |
| 1920 | 4,788 | 8.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,015 | 4.7% | |
| 1940 | 6,182 | 23.3% | |
| 1950 | 7,037 | 13.8% | |
| 1960 | 8,050 | 14.4% | |
| 1970 | 8,654 | 7.5% | |
| 1980 | 10,027 | 15.9% | |
| 1990 | 10,241 | 2.1% | |
| 2000 | 10,843 | 5.9% | |
| 2010 | 10,827 | −0.1% | |
| 2020 | 10,661 | −1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] | |||
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $36,922, and the median income for a family was $47,361. Males had a median income of $32,050 versus $22,112 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,657. About 2.4% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
[edit]As of the census of 2020,[6] the population was 10,661. The population density was 1,903.8 inhabitants per square mile (735.1/km2). There were 5,126 housing units at an average density of 915.4 per square mile (353.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.2% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 7.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016-2020, the median income for a household in the city was $51,996, and the median income for a family was $69,493. Male full-time workers had a median income of $48,772 versus $36,334 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $31,308. About 8.0% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.[7] Of the population age 25 and over, 90.6% were high school graduates or higher and 17.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[8]
2010 census
[edit]As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 10,827 people, 4,810 households, and 2,781 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,241.6 inhabitants per square mile (865.5/km2). There were 5,101 housing units at an average density of 1,056.1 per square mile (407.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.9% of the population.
There were 4,810 households, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the city was 41.1 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
Cheese Days
[edit]
Cheese Days is a biennial celebration of cheese and the dairy industry, taking place in Monroe. Established in 1914, the weekend-long event typically occurs on the third weekend in September of even-numbered years in the historic downtown area known as "the Square". The festivities include carnival rides, a variety of local food, restaurant, craft, and club stands, and live, traditional Swiss-Germanic music (including polkas and waltzes), culminating in a two-hour parade on Sunday afternoon. Over one hundred thousand people come for the festivities throughout the three-day event. Cheese Days was not held in 1918, 1942, 1944 and 2020.
Parks and recreation
[edit]Monroe's parks include Twining Park, where the city's Swiss bandshell is located; Recreation Park, home to the city swimming pool; and Honey Creek Park, the site of a skate park. The city is the eastern starting point of the Cheese Country Trail, a 47-mile multi-purpose recreational path, and the Badger State Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian-only trail in summer and an ATV/snowmobile trail in winter. The "Cheese Trail" extends from Mineral Point to Monroe, while the Badger State Trail runs from the state line to Madison and connects to the Jane Addams Trail in Illinois. Both are former railway corridors. Monroe is also home to Stateline Ice and Community Expo (SLICE), the only indoor ice rink in Green County.
Badger State Trail runs from Madison through Fitchburg past the Ice Age National Scenic Trail Montrose segment, Belleville, New Glarus, and crosses the Sugar River State Trail before reaching Monroe, and then continues to meet with the Jane Addams Trail at the Illinois border which continues to Freeport, Illinois.
Education
[edit]The School District of Monroe is the largest school district in Green County, serving around 2,700 pupils, and having an open enrollment procedure. The school district maintains Monroe High School, home of the Cheesemakers in the Rock Valley Conference, Monroe Middle School, Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy, Parkside Elementary School, and Northside Elementary School. St. Victor Catholic elementary school offers grades K (four years old) through 5.[9] Monroe has a campus of Blackhawk Technical College, the community's sole institution of post-secondary education.
Transportation
[edit]
WIS 11 runs around Monroe on the bypass.
WIS 59 ends in the northeast corner of the city near the Monroe Clinic.
WIS 69 runs on the bypass for 1 mile with WIS 81 and WIS 11.
WIS 81 runs around Monroe on the bypass.[10]
Monroe Municipal Airport (KEFT) serves the city and surrounding communities.
Wisconsin and Southern Railroad serves the city with freight service. A branch line from Janesville ends at Badger State Ethanol.
Notable people
[edit]- Henry Adams, Wisconsin state representative and senator
- Bob Anderegg, professional basketball player[11]
- Ken Behring, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks[12]
- James Bintliff, Union Army general[13]
- John Bolender, Wisconsin state representative[14]
- Ira B. Bradford, Wisconsin state representative[15]
- Evelene Brodstone, one of the highest paid female executives of the 1920s[citation needed]
- Dick Campbell, singer, songwriter, movie director[16]
- Edwin Copeland, botanist and founder of the University of the Philippines Los Banos College of Agriculture
- David G. Deininger, jurist and legislator[17]
- A. Clarke Dodge, Wisconsin state representative and businessman[18]
- Joe Dodge, jazz musician
- Alice Righter Edmiston, artist
- G. Fred Galli, cheesemaker and legislator[19]
- John C. Hall, Wisconsin state senator and physician[20]
- Andre Jacque, Wisconsin state representative[21]
- Janet Jennings, nurse during the Spanish–American War[22]
- Harry A. Keegan, Wisconsin state representative[23]
- Nathan J. Lindsay, U.S. Air Force major general[24]
- William H. H. Llewellyn, New Mexico state representative, member of the Rough Riders
- Joe Lobdell, professional football player[25]
- John Luchsinger, legislator, writer, jurist
- Willis Ludlow, Wisconsin state representative and mayor of Monroe[26]
- Ric Mathias, NFL player[27]
- Perry A.C. Reed, Nebraska state senator[28]
- William Rittenhouse, Wisconsin state senator[29]
- Ray H. Schoonover, Wisconsin state representative, sheriff, and businessman[30]
- Tom Tennant, MLB player[31]
- Robin G. Tornow, U.S. Air Force general
- Charles Treat, U.S. Army general, Army Distinguished Service Medal recipient[32]
- Joseph B. Treat, Wisconsin state senator and chairman of the Republican State Central Committee[33]
- Nathaniel Treat, Maine state representative[33]
- Nathaniel B. Treat, Wisconsin state representative[34]
- Nathan Farragut Twining, chief of staff, United States Air Force
- Merrill B. Twining, United States Marine Corps general[35]
- Don S. Wenger, U.S. Air Force major general[citation needed]
- Walter S. Wescott, Wisconsin state representative and senator
- Francis H. West, Union Army general[citation needed]
- George Otto Wirz, Roman Catholic bishop[36]
- Edwin E. Woodman, Wisconsin state senator[37]
- Art Young, cartoonist and writer[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Monroe city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Monroe city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Monroe city, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "School history". St. Clare of Assisi Parish. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Aerial Photography Map of Monroe, WI Wisconsin". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "Bob Anderegg". Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "Kenneth E. Behring". California Homebuilding Foundation. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ History of Green County, Wisconsin. Springfield, Ill.: Union Publishing, 1894, p. 594.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1883,' Biographical Sketch of John Bolender, pg. 492
- ^ Halford Erickson (comp.). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Milwaukee: Northwestern Litho, 1903, p. 1093.
- ^ Bob Koch. "Vinyl Cave: "Sings Where It's At" by Dick Campbell". Ishtmus, August 21, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ "Judge David G. Deininger". Wisconsin Elections Commission. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1901,' Biographical Sketch of A. Clarke Dodge, pg. 749
- ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (comp.). The Wisconsin Blue Book 1964. Madison: 1964, p. 778.
- ^ The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. 10th ed. Madison, Atwood & Culver, 1871, p. 368–369.
- ^ "Representative Andre Jacque". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ "Janet Jennings". Women in Wisconsin. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1956. Madison: State of Wisconsin, 1956, p. 45.
- ^ "Major General Nathan J. Lindsay". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ "#68 Joe Lobdell". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ J. D. Beck. The Blue Book The State of Wisconsin. Madison: Democrat Printing Company, 1911, p. 762.
- ^ "Ric Mathias". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
- ^ "Perry A.C. Reed" (PDF). Nebraska Library Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
- ^ State of Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999". Information Bulletin 99-1 (September 1999), p. 16.
- ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1948. Madison: State of Wisconsin, 1948, p. 50.
- ^ "Tom Tennant". www.baseball-reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
- ^ Military Times-Charles Gould Treat
- ^ a b Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin. Chicago: J. H. Beers. 1901. pp. 375–376.
- ^ Henry Casson (comp.). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Milwaukee: Henry Gugler, 1897, p.680.
- ^ Wolfgang Saxon. "Merrill Twining, 92, Planned Guadalcanal Attack". The New York Times, March 16, 1996.
- ^ George Otto Wirz
- ^ Biodata
External links
[edit]Monroe, Wisconsin
View on GrokipediaHistory
Settlement and founding
The area that would become Monroe, Wisconsin, attracted early European-American settlers in the 1830s due to its rich farmlands along the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers, which provided fertile soil for agriculture and potential water power, as well as initial lead mining activities in the surrounding region. While lead mining was prominent in nearby areas like Mineral Point, activities in the Monroe vicinity were initial and soon gave way to farming. These natural resources drew pioneers seeking economic opportunities in the newly opened Wisconsin Territory lands following the Black Hawk War.[1] In the late 1830s, five men acquired the original land that formed the nucleus of the future city: Joseph Payne, Jarvis Rattan, William Stansbury, Daniel Harcourt, and William Russell.[5] Among them, William Russell played a key role by donating a significant parcel for public use, including sites for the county seat and educational facilities, which helped secure Monroe's development as a central settlement.[6] This donation, made in 1839, included 40 acres strategically located to support community growth.[7] Green County was established in 1837 from portions of the Wisconsin Territory, named in honor of Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene, with Monroe designated as the county seat from its inception to capitalize on the donated lands.[8] The settlement was named Monroe by early settler Daniel Harcourt, likely in admiration of President James Monroe, reflecting the era's reverence for the nation's fifth president.[9] One of the earliest legal events in the new county was the first jury trial in 1838, involving settler Daniel Harcourt, who was charged with removing and destroying land boundary markers established by road viewers; he was acquitted.[10] Monroe was incorporated as a village in 1858, separating from the surrounding township to formalize local governance amid growing settlement, including waves of Swiss immigrants arriving in the 1840s.[1] It was later chartered as a city on March 25, 1882, by the Wisconsin Legislature, marking its transition to a more structured municipal entity under state classification laws.[7]Growth and cheese industry
During the late 19th century, Monroe experienced significant population growth, expanding from 939 residents in 1860 to 3,927 by 1900, largely fueled by agricultural expansion and improved transportation infrastructure.[11][12] This surge reflected the broader economic boom in southern Wisconsin, where fertile soils supported diverse farming and attracted settlers seeking prosperity through land cultivation. The arrival of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad in 1857 connected Monroe to larger markets, enabling efficient export of agricultural products and stimulating local commerce by facilitating transport of grain, livestock, and emerging dairy goods to Chicago and beyond, reducing shipping costs.[13] This rail access transformed Monroe from a frontier outpost into a regional hub, drawing more families and boosting land values in Green County.[3] The dairy sector, particularly cheese production, emerged as a cornerstone of Monroe's economy in the 1860s, influenced heavily by Swiss and other European immigrants who brought expertise in cheesemaking.[14] The first commercial cheese factory in Green County opened in 1868 near New Glarus, operated by Swiss immigrant Nicholas Gerber in a log house, where five local farmers supplied milk for Limburger production.[14] This marked the onset of organized dairy processing in the area, leveraging the region's rolling pastures and immigrant labor to shift from subsistence farming toward commercial output, with Monroe serving as a key distribution point.[15] A notable event symbolizing Monroe's maturation was the establishment of the Green County Courthouse in 1891, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure that underscored the community's growing stability and administrative needs.[8] Designed by architect G. Stanley Mansfield with red brick, limestone accents, and a 120-foot clock tower, the building replaced earlier facilities and reflected the influx of resources from agricultural prosperity.[8] Amid this growth, Monroe also grappled with challenges like an early counterfeiting ring operating from 1857 to 1871, which distributed fake currency nationwide and tested the development of local law enforcement.[16] Led by figures associated with the Bonelatta Gang, the operation exploited the town's rail links for circulation, prompting federal intervention and highlighting the tensions between rapid expansion and order in a burgeoning agricultural center.[16]Geography
Location and topography
Monroe is situated in southern Wisconsin, approximately 40 miles southwest of Madison.[17] The city's geographic coordinates are 42°36′N 89°38′W.[18] According to the United States Census Bureau, Monroe encompasses a total area of 5.60 square miles, consisting entirely of land with no significant water bodies within its boundaries.[19] The city is bordered by the Town of Monroe to the north and the Town of Clarno to the south, placing it within Green County amid a landscape of rural townships.[20] The topography of Monroe features the characteristic rolling hills of the Driftless Area, a region known for its unglaciated terrain that creates undulating elevations and steep bluffs.[21] The city's average elevation is 1,056 feet above sea level, contributing to its scenic, varied relief.[22] Monroe lies in close proximity to the Pecatonica River and the Sugar River, tributaries that historically provided water power for early mills and supported settlement along their valleys.[1] Geologically, Monroe's location in the Driftless Area means it escaped direct coverage by glaciers during the last Ice Age, unlike much of surrounding Wisconsin, resulting in deeply incised valleys and prolonged soil development through weathering and erosion.[21] This glacial history has led to the formation of fertile silt loam soils, enriched by loess deposits and organic matter, which underpin the region's agricultural productivity.[23]Climate
Monroe, Wisconsin, features a humid continental climate classified as Dfa (hot-summer humid continental) under the Köppen-Geiger system, characterized by four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.[24] The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with average highs reaching 82°F in July and lows dropping to 14°F in January, based on 1991-2020 climate normals from the National Weather Service.[25]| Month | Avg Max (°F) | Mean (°F) | Avg Min (°F) | Precip (in) | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 22 | 14 | 1.7 | 10 |
| Feb | 34 | 26 | 18 | 1.7 | 8 |
| Mar | 45 | 36 | 26 | 2.3 | 5 |
| Apr | 59 | 48 | 36 | 3.3 | 1 |
| May | 70 | 59 | 47 | 3.9 | 0 |
| Jun | 79 | 68 | 57 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Jul | 82 | 72 | 61 | 4.0 | 0 |
| Aug | 81 | 70 | 59 | 4.0 | 0 |
| Sep | 74 | 63 | 51 | 3.2 | 0 |
| Oct | 61 | 50 | 39 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Nov | 46 | 37 | 28 | 2.3 | 3 |
| Dec | 34 | 26 | 18 | 2.0 | 15 |
| Annual | 58 | 48 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
Government
Local government
Monroe, Wisconsin, operates under a mayor-council form of government, as is common for cities in the state.[31] The mayor serves as the chief executive, presiding over city council meetings, proposing budgets, and appointing department heads subject to council approval.[32] As of 2025, the mayor is Donna Douglas, who was re-elected in April 2024 for a two-year term and is the first woman to hold the position in over 140 years.[33][34] The legislative body is the common council, consisting of the mayor and nine aldermen elected at large on a nonpartisan basis for staggered two-year terms.[35][36] The city is divided into 10 wards for electoral and administrative purposes, though aldermen represent the municipality as a whole rather than specific districts.[37] The council handles ordinances, budgeting, and oversight of city operations through standing committees such as the Board of Public Works, Finance and Taxation, and Judiciary and License.[38] Key municipal departments under city government include the police department, which provides public safety services; the fire department, responsible for emergency response and prevention; and public works, managing infrastructure like streets, water, and sanitation. These departments deliver essential services to residents, supported by a general fund budget of approximately $13.2 million for 2024-2025, which emphasizes infrastructure improvements, public safety enhancements, and community programs.[39] As the county seat of Green County, Monroe's local government plays a historic role in regional administration, including coordination with the Green County Courthouse, which houses circuit court functions and county offices in the city.[40][41] The 1891 Romanesque-style courthouse, located at 1016 16th Avenue, underscores Monroe's longstanding position as a judicial and administrative hub for the county.[42]Political representation
Monroe, Wisconsin, is situated in the 50th District of the Wisconsin State Assembly, represented by Democrat Jenna Jacobson since January 2025.[43] The city also falls within the 17th District of the Wisconsin State Senate, represented by Republican Howard Marklein since 2015.[44] These districts were established following the 2024 redistricting process, which adjusted boundaries to reflect population changes after the 2020 census.[45] At the federal level, Monroe is part of Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District, represented by Democrat Mark Pocan since 2013.[46] This district encompasses much of south-central Wisconsin, including rural areas focused on agriculture, where key legislative priorities include farm bill reforms, rural broadband expansion, and support for dairy producers through programs like the Dairy Margin Coverage. Representatives from this district have advocated for policies addressing rural economic challenges, such as workforce development and infrastructure funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.[47] Green County, where Monroe serves as the county seat, has historically leaned conservative in its voting patterns, though recent elections show competitive divides. In the 2024 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 11,173 votes (50.6%) compared to Democrat Kamala Harris's 10,903 votes (49.4%), out of 22,076 total votes cast countywide.[48] This narrow margin reflects the county's rural character and agricultural base, influencing support for policies on trade, immigration, and environmental regulations affecting farming. Monroe actively participates in state economic development initiatives to bolster its local economy. The city engages with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) through programs like the Main Street revitalization effort, where Main Street Monroe organization achieved Gold Tier designation in 2024 for downtown enhancement projects.[49] Additionally, Monroe has benefited from WEDC grants supporting entrepreneurial education, including technology training for students to foster innovation in manufacturing and agriculture-related sectors.[50] These programs align with broader state efforts to promote job growth and business retention in rural communities like Monroe.Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, Monroe had a total population of 10,661 residents. The population density was 1,903.8 people per square mile.| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 89.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 7.6% |
| Black or African American | 1.2% |
| Asian | 1.0% |
| Two or more races | 1.0% |
| Other racial categories, such as American Indian and Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, each accounted for less than 1% of the population. |
